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AT&T, Starbucks Deal Might Mean Free Wi-Fi For iPhone, Touch Users

Submitted by Edward Kirk on February 11, 2008 - 5:31pm.
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Starbucks recently struck a deal with AT&T that might be to the benefit of iPhone and iPod touch users that frequent their retail loactions. They said Monday that they would be changing their network hotspot provider from T-Mobile, their long-time partner, to AT&T, that will be free of charge to subscribers of the AT&T network.

The hotspots will be available at 7,000 Starbucks at no cost to AT&T's 12 million U-Verse DSL subscribers, 100,000 Starbucks employees, and even T-Mobile HotSpot subscribers. Other customers wanting to use the service will have to get a Starbucks card and pay for the service.

They will charge $3.95 for two hours’ access or a monthly unlimited usage plan via AT&T is $19.95.

There's no word yet on access for the iPhone or iPod touch or their owners, but given the deals between Starbucks, Apple, and AT&T, chances of free access are good.

Of course, things do get more complicated in the cases of customers carrying multiple Wi-Fi devices, such as an iPhone and a MacBook.

[via Macworld]

Submitted by agent6998 on February 11, 2008 - 8:15pm.
Woot! I have U-Verse. I hope this happens cuz I seriously want to have internet when I go to Starbucks. Hell no am I paying for T-Mobile access.

Submitted by chr1s60 on February 12, 2008 - 1:03am.
This would be a welcome improvement.

Starbucks can afford it.

Submitted by imagine engine on February 12, 2008 - 9:03am.
With their price on lattes, etc Starbucks can afford to offer free WIFI to their customers. Whether traveling across Canada or to the USA I've noticed several cafes now provide free WIFI but Starbucks still charges for the service.